Hosting An Exchange Student III

When our exchange students arrive, I always try to allow them to eat, rest, sleep, shower, or whatever helps them settle in. After all, they have been on a long flight, had little sleep, and questionable nutrition.

     They usually get their "second wind" as soon as they step off the plane and meet their host family for the first time. The ride home from the airport takes one hour, during which time our own children bombard the newcomer with questions. But once we reach the house, I allow them to have a little "alone" time. They will want to call their parents at home to "check in."  If they don't want to, I make them anyway.  (I wouldn't appreciate it if my child flew to a foreign land, and then forgot to call me!)

     The first full day, I try to go over house rules with them. I suggest, that if you haven't thought much about your own house rules with a teenager, you work them out before your student arrives. You and your spouse need to present a united front from the beginning, just as you would with your own children. Topics to consider are:

~chores

~curfew

~bedtime/study time/meal time

~use of home computer, phone, cell phone, tv, bathroom

     The students are usually very compliant. They expect to be assigned chores and to follow the rules. Any rules that you consider age-appropriate for your own child should be imposed on your student, too.

     The first two weeks are what I call the "Honeymoon." Like a wedding, the child's arrival has been a long-anticipated event.  I call them the "honeymoon" because everyone is just happy the student has arrived safely; everyone is getting along, and everything is "hunky dory." The first days are like any early relationship. Our own kids are always very excited, and want to show the new student a good time. They want their new "sibling" to get to do all the fun things their hometown has to offer. This newness will begin to fade a little bit in about two weeks.

     That is not to say that you'll be sick of your "guest" after two weeks. By no means! What I mean is that once school starts, and the routine sets in, your student becomes one of the family! This is the best part, by far! And topic for my next hub!

In my next hub, you'll read about...how to really make your student feel at home and part of the family (humorous).